Background

Introduction and Rationale

On 27 July 2018, the Philippine Congress passed Republic Act 11054 Organic Law for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. The Bangsamoro Organic Law [BOL] was subsequently ratified through a plebiscite held 21 January 2019 and 6 February 2019. Thereafter, the BARMM leadership through the Office of the Chief Minister [OCM] and the Bangsamoro Transition Authority [BTA] took over the line agencies of the former Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao [ARMM] government.

Peace, stability and sustainable development have always been advocacies of the United Nations Development Programme [UNDP] since the 1970s. The UNDP has always played a supportive role in bringing to the negotiation table the different stakeholders, i.e., armed combatants, political leaders and government, in Muslim Mindanao. With the signing of the BOL, the OCM has signified its interest to partner/collaborate with the UNDP to provide technical assistance in the transition period particularly in baseline and program assessments, building the capacity of its new officials towards strengthening the governance of BARMM institutions, among others.

Three [3] missions from the UNDP Climate Action Team, May 6, May 23 and October 23, 2019, have been deployed to discuss areas of engagement with the new MENRE.  These discussions resulted in the following agreements:

1. Component 1: Formulation of BARMM Strategic ENR Framework [ENR PPAs contributing to peace [normalization] and development, gender/inclusive-sensitive and towards DRR-CCA]
2. Component 2: Development of “Pilot Conflict-Sensitive Integrated ENR Management Plan” for former MILF camps
3. Component 3: Clarification/Formulation of the Roles and Responsibilities of the BARMM MENRE in relation to the National DENR through the Inter-Governamental Relations [IGR] system.

II. Description of Activity

Objective:

The purpose of this technical assistance is to support the MENRE in the comprehensive review and assessment of existing programmes, and/or reference to reviews already made, to determine the next strategic priorities to be implemented during the transition period. Key considerations would be to prioritize those which have high impact over a short period, while at the same time position the MENRE to implement key building blocks of reforms needed for incremental implementation of both medium- and long-term goals for the BARMM.

A Senior Environment and Natural Resources Consultant will be engaged to work with the Minister, Deputy Minister, Senior Officials, and respective Planning Offices in the review, assessment and identification of PPAs. The assessment results shall be foundation/basis for the formulation of the BARMM Strategic Environment and Natural Resources Framework. The Consultant shall closely collaborate with Senior Ministry Officials in this regard. Parallel discussions shall be conducted between the IGRs of the MENRE and DENR to give clarity on the roles and responsibilities with respect to ENR policies, laws, memoranda among others in the BARMM area. Agreements arrived at shall be presented to the OCM and to the Legislative Body for approval.

The Consultant shall likewise develop and pilot a “Conflict-Sensitive Integrated Environment and Natural Resources Management Plan for the small MILF camps, i.e., outside of the six major MILF camps. This will entail dialogue with other UNDP operating units, MENRE, camp commanders and MILF fighters/combatants.

The Consultant shall also facilitate discussions with MAFAR for complementation of programmes to ensure synergy and minimize inconsistencies, such as for example, production and protection land use policies across major landscapes and water bodies.

Duties and Responsibilities

Scope of Work

Under the overall guidance of the BARMM MENRE Minister Macacua and UNDP Outcome Lead [Climate Action], the Senior Environment and Natural Resources Specialist shall take the lead in the following:

Provide expert/technical advise to the BARMM MENRE Minister, Deputy Minister, Bureau/Division Chiefs and appropriate offices in the identification and prioritization of ENR programs-projects activities for the Transition Period and beyond. The Senior Environment and Natural Resources Specialist shall:

• Review technical studies and assessments as a stock-taking activity on BARMM’s Green [terrestrial including minerals], Blue [marine and coastal] and Brown [air, waste management] resources, programmes, including past ARMM budgetary allocations;
• Review of the ENR-related plan documents, i.e., BDP [MNLF- and MILF-led], ARMM and find common threads for PPA prioritization
• Identification of strengths, gaps and weaknesses in MENRE’s environment and natural resources program portfolio to inform the identification of strategic next steps/PPAs [medium and long-term programs-projects-activities including budgetary requirements]
• Conduct consultations with ENR stakeholders [policy decision-makers, communities, indigenous peoples, private sector among others towards the formulation of BARMM’s ENR Framework
• Provide expert advice/input in the discussions of the IGRs of MENRE and DENR to clarify roles and responsibilities

Expected Outputs and Deliverables

Institutional Arrangements

The Senior Environment and Natural Resources Specialist will perform the above tasks under the direct supervision of the MENRE Minister, with the UNDP Climate Action Team Leader taking second lead. S/he shall report to the MENRE Office in-situ.

Workshops and meetings will be funded outside of the Consultant’s Professional Fee. Vehicle can be arranged for Consultant’s use for official travel to BARMM areas, on a schedule and first come first served basis.

Duration of Work

40 days spread over 4 months (the period of engagement includes estimated lead time for UNDP and/or Project Implementing Partners to review outputs, give comments, certify approval/acceptance of outputs).

Duty Station

The successful candidate is required to report for ten [10] days [or 2 weeks] at the MENRE BARMM Office every month in Cotabato City. Travels to BARMM areas outside of Cotabato City and in Manila will be shouldered by UNDP. The Consultant, if required, shall travel to the BaSulTa [Basilan-Sulu-Tawi-Tawi] area, provided that the UNDSS gives security clearance.

Scope of Price Proposal and Schedule of Payments

Competencies

Corporate competencies

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN's values and ethical standards;
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality, and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Treats all people fairly without favoritism.

Functional and technical competencies

• Ability to work in a diverse and multi-cultural environment;
• Self-motivated and ability to work under pressure and to meet strict and competing deadlines;
• Displays analytical judgment and demonstrated ability to handle confidential and politically sensitive issues in a responsible and mature manner;
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
• Computer literate.

Required Skills and Experience

Offers will be evaluated based on combined scoring method :

• Technical Proposal =    70% (Applicants who will receive 70 points  from the assessment of the CV will be qualified for the assessment of the Financial Proposal)

• Financial Proposal =    30%

 For the evaluation of the Technical Proposal, the selection of the successful consultant must be based in the following qualifications (with the appropriate obtainable points):

A.   Education and Relevant Experience (10%)

• Master’s Degree in Environmental Science, Agriculture, Social Sciences, Agriculture, Forestry, Development Management and related field of study
• Preferably with Professional License related to Environment, Planning, or Agriculture

(7 points if with master’s degree, additional points for additional degrees and if with professional license)

B.   Relevant Experience (20%)

• Minimum of ten (10) years of professional working experience related to environmental planning and management, preferably extensive experience with government

(14 points if with 10 yrs. relevant experience, with additional points if with additional years)

C.   Knowledge, Competencies and Skills (70%)

The consultant to provide a list of previous projects/engagements with relevance to the assignment and to submit at least two (2) sample work from previous engagements with specific reference to the below requirements. The description should clearly indicate consultant’s role and contribution to the project/assignment. This will be used by the evaluation panel for arriving at the scores for Point #C.

• Proven technical knowledge on various Philippine Environmental Laws, policies, programmes and processes;
• In depth knowledge of social, environmental and cultural issues affecting the implementation of ENR PPAs in the BARMM area;
• Capability to provide guidance on negotiation and conflict resolution processes;
• Innovativeness and effectiveness capability under varying work assignments, conditions and time pressures;
• Strong interpersonal and ability to work in multidisciplinary teams;
• Can work with limited supervision and under tight timelines;
• Proficient written and oral communication skills.

Recommended Presentation of Offer

Offerors must upload in one (1) file the documents below:

You may download the editable version of the Offeror's Letter to UNDP Confirming Insterest and Availability for the IC by clicking on this link: http://gofile.me/6xdJm/bE9TCw8fU

• Duly accomplished Offeror's Letter to UNDP Confirming Insterest and Availability for the IC that indicates the all-inclusive lumpsum contract price, supported by a breakdown of costs, as per template provided; If an Offeror is employed by an organization/company/institution, and he/she expects his/her employer to charge a management fee in the process of releasing him/her to UNDP under Reimbursable Loan Agreement (RLA), the Offeror must indicate at this point, and ensure that all such costs are duly incorporated in the financial proposal submitted to UNDP;
• Financial Proposal (Annex 2 of Offeror's Letter to UNDP Confirming Insterest and Availability). 
• Personal CV or P11, indicating all past experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate and at least three (3) professional references. 
• The consultant shall provide a list of previous projects/engagements with relevance to the assignment and shall submit at least two (2) sample work from previous engagements with specific reference to the above requirements. The description should clearly indicate consultant’s role and contribution to the project/assignment. This will be used by the evaluation panel.

In view of the volume of applications UNDP receives, only shortlisted offerors will be notified.